KEEPING SUMMER FOOTINGS

Where did our summer go?  It seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating Memorial Day and making wonderful plans for the months ahead, and now we find ourselves at Labor Day.  Where did the time go?

Labor Day is often seen as the unofficial end of summer, and it’s certainly the last big holiday weekend of summer.  As school sessions start up again and vacations come to an end, we find ourselves beginning to think of fall, and (here in Minnesota at least) the dreaded first snows of winter.  Even knowing the inevitable will eventually come, I’m not so quick to give up on summer.

While I know there isn’t anything I can do to delay the need for layering on a sweater, there is one element of summer that I’m going to maintain for as long as I can – my Top-Siders!  While that may sound silly, for me it’s a psychological thing if nothing else.  It gives me at least the illusion of making summer last longer.

I recently added a great pair of Sperry “Cyclones” to my collection.  I fell in love with these shoes a while back and am happy that they are now in my rotation.  I love the dark tan and olive colors, which are the perfect shades for fall, and they’ll look great with jeans on those cooler days when I’m not yet required to wear socks.

I have these shoes in dark blue and tan as well, and they have been one of my “go to” pairs of Top-Siders throughout the summer.  As I’ve mentioned many times, I’ve been wearing Sperry Top-Siders for most of my life, and am pretty loyal to them, so when I find great colors that can carry me through multiple seasons, I get excited.  I’m using these great shoes as a way of holding on to summer for as long as I can after the Labor Day weekend.  Eventually I’ll have to let that go and accept the inevitable, but for now, I’m loving these shoes!

***What are your tricks for making summer last?

RIDING INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Have A Safe And Fun Labor Day Weekend!

***How are you spending your Labor Day Weekend?

NATIONAL BOW TIE DAY!!!

Today we celebrate National Bow Tie Day, and in honor of that I’m featuring a great bow tie from my friend Renee Larson at The Bow Tie Shoppe.  I have to say there are so many reasons why I love this tie! 

When some people think of bow ties they only think of very formal, dress up settings, but that’s not the case with me.  While I do wear ties – both bow ties and long ties – to dress up, I also wear them casually.  Which brings me to this great bow. 

This is a very versatile bow tie that can be worn comfortably with a white button down and jeans, as well as dressed up with a blazer. When I add pieces to my wardrobe, I try to choose pieces that will work with several outfits, and this tie certainly fits that qualification. You’re definitely not limited to just one look.

The Bow Tie Shoppe has a great collection of ties to choose from, but you will want to act fast.  Supplies are limited and the demand is, but these ties are definitely not to be missed and are a “must have” for your wardrobe!

I'm going to the theater again tonight and debuting this bow tie!

 What I'm wearing tonight:  

               White Shirt:  Jos. A. Banks
               Bow Tie:  The Bow Tie Shoppe
               Jeans:  Denizen
               Shoes:  Hush Puppies, navy and tan saddle shoes
               Socks:  Nordstroms
               Watch: Timex
               Watch Band:  Timex
               Bracelet:  Chainmail, custom

               Phone Case: J. Crew


***What are you wearing to celebrate National Bow Tie Day?

FAIR TIMES

Throughout the country, August and September mean one thing - fair season!  County Fairs, City Fairs, State Fairs, Irish Fairs, Renaissance Fairs, and many others.  At this time of year you are certain to find at least one fair that celebrates your interests and hobbies.  Here in Minnesota the last week of August can only mean The Great Minnesota State Fair, which has been going on for over 150 years.

Just a girl taking her cow for a walk.

Time to sheer the sheep.

Fire on Water.

Minnesota "Hotdish" on a stick!

The Minnesota State Fair was first held in downtown Minneapolis in 1859 (the year after Minnesota was granted statehood).  Over the years the location of the fair would bounce around from place to place, before coming to rest at its current location on over 300 acres of land midway between Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Bees making honey.

The many different flowers determine the color of the honey.

MMMMM, Bacon!!!

According to the State Fair’s website, there have only been five years when the fair didn’t take place: 1861 and 1862 due to the Civil War and the Dakota Indian Conflict, 1893 because of scheduling conflicts with the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, 1945 due to war-time fuel shortages, and 1946 due to a polio epidemic.

Cheese Curds are a required entree at the fair.

Minnesota is becoming known for its craft beers.

The Dairy Princesses all have their bust carved in butter as they via . . .

. . . for the title of Princess Kay Of The Milkyway!

Naturally I found the Unicorn.

This year the lobster roll was my favorite food item at the fair.

For many, the State Fair is a “must attend” event of the summer, and the only place where you can find hundreds of food items “on a stick.”  It’s an experience like none other, and if you have the chance, I highly recommend that you check it out.  This year’s fair runs through Labor Day, September 1.

***Do you like to attend Fairs?  Leave me a message below and tell me        about your favorites.

CHANGING SEASONS; CHANGING COLORS.

One of the things I love about this time of year, is how the color spectrum for clothes changes with the upcoming change of seasons.  As we move from one season to the next, the colors starts to turn from the lighter shades of summer towards the darker richer shades of fall.  During this transition time both palettes are acceptable, and fortunately for us, Polo Ralph Lauren offers dozens of socks in colors that are appropriate for this in between time.


***What are your favorite late summer and early fall colors?

THE "DANDELION" FOUNTAIN

The Berger Fountain, also known as the “dandelion” fountain, is one of the best known landmarks in Minneapolis’ Loring Park, and one of my favorites in the city.  However, the fountain, a gift from Ben Bergman, has had an interesting and troubled history.

Bergman, immigrated to the United States from Poland at the age of sixteen.  He began working as a vendor on various Minneapolis railroads, and eventually rose to become the owner of the Minneapolis Lakers basketball team, the Minneapolis Millers Hockey team, Schiek’s café, and a string of movie theaters.  He would also eventually serve on the Minneapolis Park Board.

While traveling in Australia in 1961, he saw a fountain in Sydney that he fell in love with.  So much so that he hired the designer to make one for Minneapolis.  In 1969, when he announced his plans to gift the city with the fountain, he had no idea how difficult – and political – it would be to find a site to build it.

Originally it was to be built on property near the Walker Art Center, but the Walker (which hoped to create a sculpture garden on that land) fought it, and was successfully able to block its construction on that site.  Eventually it was decided that the fountain would be built in Loring Park.

Although, it has proven at times costly to maintain and repair over the years, it has become a beloved icon and symbol of the Loring Park community, and is a frequent background, for wedding, fashion, tourist photos.  It’s so loved by the neighborhood that citizens of that community help raise funds for its upkeep.

While this fountain has had an interesting history, today it is definitely loved and treasured by the many visitors to Loring Park, and by the residents of its neighboring community.

 ***Are there certain fountains that you love?

MILL CITY FINERIES

This past Monday, local Minneapolis company Mill City Fineries, officially launched their brand.  This really excites me as I love promoting local businesses, and so in honor of their launch, they are my Bow Tie Friday pick for this week.

Featured today is their Red Baron Memorial bow tie.  I fell in love with this bow the instant I saw it.  As we move into fall, it’s lovely shades of red, tan, pink, and cream plaid on one side, and tan polka dots on cream on the reverse side, make this the perfect tie for the change of seasons.

I’ve always been a huge fan of reversible bow ties because of the many way they can be tied.  Don’t get me wrong, I love regular bow ties a lot, I just feel the reversible ones are bit more interesting, and the Red Baron Memorial doesn’t disappoint.

Mill City Fineries' bow tie are packaged these great matchboxes.

Mill City makes their bow ties in small batches from material they purchase throughout the country.  These limited runs ensure that you won’t find hundreds of people wearing the same bow tie.  I’ve already been shut out of buying another of their bow ties that I loved because it had been sold out.  Lesson learned, if I see something I like in their collection, I need to pick it up right away or else it will be gone.

In addition to their website, they also sell their ties in a couple of local stores (that’s where I picked mine up), which helps a little, but you will still need to get them fast as they seem to have only one of any style.  So as we celebrate Bow Tie Friday this week, I’m happy to congratulate Mill City Fineries on their launch, and am certain I will be a return customer.

QUICK NIGHT AT THE THEATER

I'm going to see Book Of Mormon tonight with a friend and I have my late summer outfit all set to go! 


What I'm wearing to the theater: 
               Red Gingham Shirt:  Merona
               Bow Tie:  Social Primer For Brooks Brothers
               Kahaki Pants:  Tommy Hilfiger
               Shoes:  Bostonian Cordovan Cap Toe
               Socks:  Neiman Marcus
               Watch: Timex
               Watch Band:  Brooks Brothers
               Bracelet:  KJP For Brooks Brothers


***What are your favorite late summer things to wear?

STONE SHIPS

"The Sea And The Heavenly Journey!"

This is the doorway where the Stone Ship is carved.

***What "Heavenly Journeys" does the sea take you on?

BOATS AT REST

Boats resting on Lake Harriet, waiting for the forecasted rain, are a great reminder that we all need to stop, and lower our sails from time to time, and just rest.

***What are the things that remind you that it's time to rest?